80 replies to this topic

[Praslek2]

TL;DR The AC20 has been removed from the game by the speed nerf. The gauss rifle has been removed from the game by the charge nerf.

Try to hit a target who is moving randomly at 300 metres with an AC20.

It's almost impossible with the slow projectile speed.

The AC20 has become a point-blank weapon against everything except absolutely stationary targets.

I tried replacing it with a gauss rifle and I found that, inevitably, the gauss charge is lost about two thirds of the time because you just can't hear it if anyone is firing, and the charge is only available for an extremely short time.

This makes the gauss a totally unacceptable replacement.

Where does this leave us?

Gauss and AC20, two of the most iconic Battletech weapons, have effectively been nerfed out of the game.

This means that an Atlas pilot cannot take an AC20 anymore, not without enormous sacrifices in effectiveness.

It's pretty strange when we're playing what is supposedly a MechWarrior game and an AC20 is less effective than a double AC2, and an AC20 hits so rarely that a pair of LB10-X's do better concentrated damage because they actually hit what they're aimed at.

What's really disturbing is that you just cannot make a really good Atlas build anymore: nobody needs to be afraid of the Atlas, because it can always be outdone by a different mech.

[xTrident]

I use the AC20 regularly and I've just gotten used to the fact that it's a close combat weapon. I couldn't tell you exactly how far away I stop using it, but I just shoot my lasers at any distance until I get an enemy closer to me. As for Guass, when considering how effective it is (as well as the AC20) when hitting a target... I really don't have a problem with it either. If I can't hear it charging then I try to go by length of time I've charged it.

It's just taken practice for me to get used to what I use - Guass and AC20 being two of the main weapons of choice.

[Bront]

AC20 is still deadly, it's just no longer deadly at extreme ranges (and it shouldn't be).

Gauss is an aquired skill, but I see several folks be deadly with it. I personally would prefer they remove the chargeup mechanic though, as it makes it very difficult to use.

[MeiSooHaityu]

Yea, I am using the A/C20 more than I used too, and that is post nerf.

The Gauss nerf has definently hurt its use initially (I am seeing more Gauss builds recently though), but the A/C20 speed nerf has not seemed to affect its popularity as far as I can tell.

The Gauss being unusable is debatable at least, but not the A/C20. The A/C20 is plenty usable.

[Fut]

Praslek2, on 05 February 2014 - 06:07 AM, said:

TL;DR The AC20 has been removed from the game by the speed nerf. The gauss rifle has been removed from the game by the charge nerf.

It'a absolutely frustrating that people jump to the extreme with their comments.
In no way, shape, or form, has either of those weapons been "removed from the game".

Perhaps you can do us all a favour, and remove yourself from the game.

[Flcn]

If you dont dump em immediately, you will see that both weapons are not so hard to use as you might think now..

I can handle gauss and ac20 very well (but ofc im not hunting Commandos and spiders with them although hit them too on occasions)

[Mawai]

AC20 was and is intended as a short range weapon. Sniping at 300 to 500m except in ideal conditions was never supposed to be a characteristic of the weapon. The speed nerf helps address that though AC20 is still effective at range against slow moving assaults.

The gauss rifle just requires some skill and practice now. The same skill you use in leading targets when firing ACs is the same as with the gauss rifle you have to track the target so you fire 0.5s after your press the charge button. It even still works at close up targets and if the shot doesn't develop the way you planned just don't let the finger off the trigger and the weapon doesn't fire so no wasted ammo.

Both weapons are more difficult to use in the high-alpha pinpoint meta game but both are still effective and usable.

[St4LkeRxF]

Both are still great but you just need more time to adjust

[Curccu]

Praslek2, on 05 February 2014 - 06:07 AM, said:

TL;DR QQ

L2P

[DEMAX51]

Or you could try practicing more instead of running to the forums to whine. Neither weapon is "unusable" by any means. I still use, and do quite well with, both of them.

[NextGame]

AC/20 is fine

Gauss is now almost pointless due to its exotic firing mechanism unless you are in one of the few mechs that can carry 2 of them to make it worthwhile.

Neither are unuseable.

[Veranova]

So the two most powerful weapons on the battlefield are now situational and not very versatile.
That's a good thing if you ask me.

The most versatile weapons should always be the least powerful, and vice versa.

[Voivode]

To the OP, I'd suggest spending a little time with them in the training grounds. The targets there might not be moving but you can attempt to use them while you are in order to acclimatize yourself to their mechanics.

As for the Gauss rifle chargeup: look next to your target reticle and you will see about six boxes. These boxes correlate directly to your weapon groups. You will notice that when you fire a weapon they turn red during the recycle time. You will also notice that the box corresponding to your Gauss Rifle will turn green when it is charged. That visual cue can be easily missed because it isn't very eye catching, but check it out, it is quite helpful.

[Samurai 7]

Actually what makes them unusable is hit detection. I dont mind getting to within 200m of another mech to fire. What i do mind is when only 25% of my shots count. Its hard enough to hit a mech, let alone a light doing 150kph, lets not make it harder by ignoring clear hits.
After the patch yesterday, this did not improve. So I am left with either not playing because im being blown to hell by a mech whose hits do count, or wasting all my ammo because thats all i can do .
It completely takes the fear out of the AC20 when you shoot a mech 8 times in the torso an cant even strip the armor.
Oh; and the client sees the hit because at the end of the match it shows 300+ dmg done, but the servers dont and that mech is just standing over your smoking corpse laughing.

[Sug]

Praslek2, on 05 February 2014 - 06:07 AM, said:

Gauss and AC20, two of the most iconic Battletech weapons, have effectively been nerfed out of the game.

Just use PPCs and ac5s like the rest of us.

[Sam Slade]

AC20 is still deadly; killing with them is very possible but does sometimes require laser fire first so you can gauge where the enemy hitboxes are as opposed to the mech model.

The charge on the Gauss makes it way harder. The only solution I have found is to use a button NOT on my mouse to charge and fire the gauss rifle; doing this removes that irritating little pressure change that you get on your mouse when releasing the trigger. However, these factors combined with the fragility, size and weight of a gauss rifle make it just too much hassle compared to multi-AC (or to a lesser extent ALRM) options.

A good fix would be to make it possible for the Gauss to hold its charge with the use of weapons modules..

Edited by Sam Slade, 05 February 2014 - 08:02 AM.

[WANTED]

AC 20 is fine. I had to adjust to it today since I had not played my Yen Lo in awhile. First couple of games I did low damage cause I was missing with it. Then I was deadly again. The slower speed means I can't shoot farther off like I use too but I have adjusted. It's just a timing and distance thing that you have to re adjust too.

The Gauss I can't comment on much cause I just don't use it hardly at all. When they did change it I still found it useful and have seen people do great with it. I might try it out again on some of my mechs, just a preference thing for me really.

[Rebas Kradd]

AC20 is now a brawling weapon. It's GOOD to have brawling promoted.

[MeiSooHaityu]

Also, I am currently running a Dual Gauss Ilya *Gasp* I said dual gauss. The Hipster MWO pilot says it is ok because it isn't meta anymore LOL.

Anyway, I run this set up because I wanted a quirky mech (unlike the other ballistic mechs I have) to add some variety to the gameplay. SInce the Gauss charge mechanic is different, I have to play it differently and that variety can be refreshing.

It isn't nearly as crazy of a setup as it once was. I overcharge trying to line up a shot, I line up a shot only to miss by the time the guns are charged, etc..., but when the shots contact...man it still shreads and feels rewarding.

It is playable, but you definently need to practice with the Gauss and play more of a fire support role.

As for the A/C20...no change to playstyle, it is as good as ever IMO (slower projectile or not).

[DONTOR]

You might want to put your gauss rifle on all unused firing groups that way the entire reticule area lights green when ready rather than rely on audible warnings.